For more than 10 years you have been a human resources manager at a welding and machining company that has remained fairly stable. The business has 20-25 employees, most of whom have been with the company for nearly 25 years.Your firm has built a reputation of quality, and the relationships of your long-time employee team with customers are a key pillar of your client service strategy. You have conducted both an environmental scan of the external environment, as well as a supply and demand forecast. You previously determined that the operating environment is far too challenging to sustain your current employee compliment, and that the skills gap between your current team and the future direction of the company -- automation -- is very wide. You have presented a change management plan to upskill your team, reduce your workforce, and realign the company through HRM strategy.

During the implementation of your plans, your company decides to merge with another firm that specializes in robotics and advanced manufacturing. On the surface it makes a lot of sense, but your team is nervous about what 'enhanced efficiency,' and 'strategic leveraging' really mean. You will draft a communication to them regarding the merger.

For discussion:

1. Outline what you will include in your letter to the stakeholder team in bullet point format.
2. Suggest why you are including specific details, as well as a rationale for how the information will build employee buy-in.
3. Include thoughts on the length, timing and delivery of the information, as well as any follow-up communication that you may make.